Herbal compositions improving lactation of farmed livestock

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns herbal compositions which improve lactation of farmed livestock comprising an effective amount of an extract and/or at least one bioactive fraction or powder from herbs such as  Asparagus, Gossypium, Foeniculum, Lepidium, Chlorophytum, Ipomoea, Withania, Leptadenia  and optionally dicalcium phosphate, chelated minerals and/or mineral mixture.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a US national stage entry of PCT/IN09/00571 filedOct. 12, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to herbal compositions for solving problem ofletting down of milk in milch animals by feeding either through theconcentrate feed or feed supplement. More specifically, the presentinvention is related to an alternative herbal based remedy for solvingproblem of letting down of milk in milch animals. The herbal compositionacts on central nervous system, giving stress free anxiolytic effectresulting in a smooth ejection. It makes the contraction of thecisternal cavity to facilitate milk ejection which helps the emptying ofalveoli. The herbal composition increases the blood circulation in theudder which reduces the chances of occurrence of infections such asMastitis, udder, oedema etc. The herbal composition reduces milk resurgetime taken for the milk ejection after initiation of the tactilestimulus. The composition comprises an effective amount of an extractand/or at least one bioactive fraction or powder from herbs such asAsparagus, Gossypium, Foeniculum, Lepidium, Chlorophytum, Ipomoea,Withania, Leptadenia etc. with or without dicalcium phosphate (DCP),chelated minerals and mineral mixture; and process for the preparationof such extracts or powder and herbal compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The “Letting down” is a reflex, which is stimulated by the hormoneoxytocin. The actual milking can begin after the letting down reflex hasbeen elicited. The hormone oxytocin is required to enable milch animalto fully letting down the bulk of her milk. A sucking calf or a gentlepre-milking routine is the only way for the ilch animal to release thishormone and letting down her milk more fully.

Suckling for a short period (1-2 minutes only) before milking, tostimulate milk letting down is a common practice in many farms, but thepresence of calves during milking may complicate management, speciallywhen machine milking is used. An alternatively used in some farms isonly to allow suckling after milking.

Milking stimuli, such as a sucking calf, a warm wash cloth, the regimeof parlour etc., causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin.Oxytocin is released from the pituitary gland, below the brain, to beginthe process of milk letting down. As a result of this hormonestimulation, the muscles begin to compress the alveoli, causing apressure in the udder known as letting down reflex, and the milkcomponents stored in the lumen are released into the duct system. Themilk is forced down into the teat cistern from which it is milked. Theletting down reflex fades as the oxytocin is degraded, within 4-7minutes. It is very difficult to milk after this time.

Ejection of milk is accomplished by contraction of the myo-epithelialcells surrounding each alveolus. The ejection process results in a rapidtransfer of milk from the lobulo-alveolar spaces into larger ducts. Theflow of milk due to passive withdrawal, which is greatly increasedfollowing ejection, is commonly known as letting down. In someoccasions, the intra-mammary pressure is sufficiently great to overcomethe resistance of the teat sphincter so that the milk may leak from theteat. Milk ejection is a neurohormonal reflex associated with therelease of oxytocin. Milk ejection reflex has a neural (afferent) and ahormonal (efferent) component.

Physical stimulation of the teats, either by the calf's suckling or themilkers hands, excite receptors from which nerve impulses are send tothe posterior pituitary gland causing secretion of the hormone oxytocin.The hormone is transported via the blood to the mammary gland. Becauseboth hormones and nerve impulses are involved in the milk ejectionreflex, it is called a neurohormonal reflex. Oxytocin stimulates thecontraction of the alveoli and small ducts thereby emptying the milkinto the larger ducts and the cistern. Hereafter the milk can beevacuated from the udder.

The contraction of the alveoli may, to some extent, be enhanced bytactile stimuli of the udder (massaging, squeezing) the so-called tapreflex. When calves suckle, they butt at the udder in order to increasemilk secretion. Manual massage of the udder during milking imitates thisreflex.

The greatest amount of innervation in the mammary gland of the milchanimal is in the teats. Mechanical stimulation of the teat activatespressure-sensitive nerve receptors in the skin of the teat. The nerveimpulses travel to the brain through the spinothalamic nerve tract. Whenthe cell bodies of the oxytocin-containing neurons are stimulated bythese impulses originating in the teat, an action potential moves downthe oxytocin-containing neurons from the cell body in the hypothalamusdown the axon to the neuron ending in the posterior pituitary. Thiscauses release of oxytocin and neurophysin into the blood. The efferentpathway starts at this point. The efferent pathway begins with therelease of oxytocin into the blood. Oxytocin is released into the bloodin response to action potential of nerve impulses originated in theteat. It then travels to the mammary gland and binds to protein receptorsites on the epithelial secretory cells. This results in contraction ofthe secretory cells and expulsion of milk from the mammary gland.

Various stressful stimuli that inhibit milk ejection are associated withincreased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Oxytocin actioncan be blocked by catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). Thehormones are usually released in response to stressful situations andincrease the tone of the smooth muscles of the mammary ducts and bloodvessels. This results in the reduction of oxytocin reaching themyo-epithelial cells and partial occlusion of the mammary ducts.Moreover, epinepherin directly blocks oxytocin from binding tomyo-epithelial cells. This is termed as peripheral inhibition of milkejection. Thus, exogenous oxytocin will not cause milk ejection inanimals exhibiting peripheral inhibition.

A common cause of failure to milk ejection is associated with stress.The stress inhibits the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitarygland (central inhibition of milk ejection). Exogenous oxytocin isusually administered in these cases causing milk ejection. Based on theabove discussion about peripheral and central inhibition of milkejection, it can be stated that milk ejection occurs as a result ofoxytocin release, which is normally couples with inhibition of thecentral and peripheral inhibitory controls. Milch animals are sensitiveto changes in the environment. They may withhold the milk, if they areuncomfortable with the situation. If the animals are stressed, scared orin pain, the hormone adrenaline is secreted. This hormone causesconstriction of the blood vessels, thereby hindering the supply ofsufficient amount of oxytocin to the udder. Adrenaline also directlyacts on the myo-epithelial cells in the alveoli by blocking the oxytocinreceptors. The inhibition if milk letting down will result in theleaving of milk in the secretory parts of the udder. Continuous exposureof stress to the cattle will affect the milk production negatively. Postparturient death of calf, separation of calf after birth, change ofplace, owner, climatic conditions and stress due to long travel, changeof milker or milking routine, application of wrong milking technique ormilking machines in bad conditions are the main reasons for the milchanimals to withhold the milk.

In the case of cattle which do not normally letting down milk in theabsence of the calf, it is traditional practice to stimulate milk flowby very brief suckling followed by partial milking, after which the calfis allowed to suck the residual milk. Poor milk ejection can be due toimpaired oxytocin release, mammary insensitivity to oxytocin or topituitary dysfunction (Murugaiyah et al., 2001). Moreover, cow'stemperament can contribute to the impaired milk ejection since stresswas found to inhibit oxytocin release (Bruckmaier and Blum, 1998).

Milch animals are susceptible to shock or stress caused from nutritionaldeficiencies, trauma, infection or extreme environmental changes such aslot adaptation stress in animal. While such stress does not necessarilyexhibit its most extreme form in shock in all cases, it neverthelessadversely affects the milch animal. Unfortunately, if animals arefrightened, fear may trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline,which is an antagonist of oxytocin. Death of calves is a common reasonfor short lactations, as tropical milch animal often fail to lettingdown of milk unless stimulated by suckling. Due to this there is adecrease in the milk production.

The milk producers are not having alternative remedy for solving problemof letting down of milk in milch animals, oxytocin injection is stillused for the same inspite of knowing its undesirable side effects.Moreover the biochemical half-life of injected oxytocin is very shortand requires several injections. Oxytocin injection which may resultinto get animal habituate as well as hormonal imbalance which causesfertility problems like repeat breeding, threats of abortion and threatsof uterine prolapse. Biosecurity is another problem, since many farmersuse same needle for the different animals which spreads contagiousdiseases. A better way would be the use of a long action composition,which provided a similar response over an extended time period.

There are very few patents available for solving the problem of milkletting down in cattle and related one include U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,391,which discloses the composition for treatment of shock and stress inanimals comprising equal volume amounts of solutions of sodium acetateand sodium propionate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,544 discloses the method forincreasing the milk let down in mammals by the use of long-actingoxytocin analogs. But none of the prior art documents disclose thesolving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals by using thenaturally available medicinal herbs.

A significant problem with herbal medicine is that herbs are slow actingin treating an ailment. In contrast, allopathic drugs act comparativelyquickly. For this reason, veterinarians prefer allopathic drugs as theeffective means of treatment, even though the drugs have side effects.Clearly, it would be desirable to increase the speed by which herbalmedicines act, but while maintaining the natural, herbal character ofthe medicine so as to avoid or minimize harmful side effects. Anincreasing number of people are gaining awareness of the advantages ofherbal medicine together with a concern over the disadvantages of modernpurified drugs. Consequently, there has been an increasing publicinterest in the use of herbal based compositions. Thus, many peopleconsider herbs primarily useful as a maintenance or prophylactictreatment to be taken regularly in order to prevent onset of illness. Afaster acting type of herbal medicine would create far broader utility.

Accordingly, there is a real and continuing need for an inexpensiveshock and/or stress treatment composition to cattle for increasing themilk production. Hence the present inventor aims to develop thecompositions and specifically to those compositions with naturallyoccurring herb extracts and/or bioactive fraction or powder to solve theproblem of letting down of milk in milch animals without the undesiredside effects. In particular, the herbal compositions, which can be fedto cattle for solving the problems letting down of milk in milch animal.The present invention provides compositions that require littletechnical expertise to use and may be used as a nutritional supplementfor milch animal. The compositions are inexpensive and cost effective.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to provide herbal compositionsfor solving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals by feedingthe composition either through the concentrate feed or feed supplement.

It is an object of the invention to develop an alternative herbal basedremedy using herbal extracts and/or bioactive fraction or powder forsolving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals.

It is another object of the present invention to increase milkproduction in milch animal by feeding the herbal composition.

It is yet another object of the present invention to increase theacceptance of milk obtained after feeding the present invention herbalcompositions in comparison to milk obtained by applying an injection ofoxytocin to milch animal.

It is the further object of the present herbal compositions to increasedietary intake of vitamins and minerals associated with hormoneproduction by improving the overall nutritional status of the cattle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide herbalcompositions having a longer shelf life.

It is a further object of the present invention to develop herbalcompositions, which are inexpensive and cost effective.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Herbal based feed compositions for solving problem of letting down ofmilk in milch animals comprising mixture of effective amount of anextract and/or bioactive fraction or powder of at least one medicinalherb. The medicinal herbs are selected from the group of Asparagus,Gossypium, Foeniculum, Lepidium, Chlorophytum, Ipomoea, Withania andLeptadenia. The above said medicinal herbs are essentially selected fromthe group of Asparagus racemosus, Gossypium arboreum (herbaceum),Foeniculum vulgare, Lepidium sativum, Chlorophytum borivilianum, Ipomoeadigitata, Withania somnifera and Leptadenia reticulata. The above saidherbal mixture comprises at least four medicinal herbs which areAsparagus racemosus, Gossypium arboreum (herbaceum), Foeniculum vulgareor Chlorophytum borivilianum, Lepidium sativum or Ipomoea digitata. Theeffective amount of an extract or bioactive fraction or powder ranges 20to 70% (w/w) Asparagus racemosus, 2.5 to 25% (w/w) Gossypium arboreum(herbaceum), 10 to 70% (w/w) Foeniculum vulgare or 10 to 70% (w/w)Chlorophytum borivilianum, 10 to 70% (w/w) Lepidium sativum or 10 to 70%(w/w) Ipomoea digitata. The above said effective amount of an extract orbioactive fraction or powder preferably 30 to 50% (w/w) Asparagusracemosus, 5 to 20% (w/w) Gossypium arboreum (herbaceum), 20 to 35%(w/w) Foeniculum vulgare or 20 to 35% (w/w) Chlorophytum borivilianum,15 to 30% (w/w) Lepidium sativum or 15 to 30% (w/w) Ipomoea digitata.The effective amount of an extract or bioactive fraction or powder morepreferably 40% (w/w) Asparagus racemosus, 10% (w/w) Gossypium arboreum(herbaceum), 25% (w/w) Foeniculum vulgare or 25% (w/w) Chlorophytumborivilianum, 25% (w/w) Lepidium sativum or 25% (w/w) Ipomoea digitata.Herbal based feed compositions for solving problem of letting down ofmilk in milch animals optionally comprise one or more of the ingredientsselected from 5 to 50% (w/w) dicalcium phosphate, dolomite, calcite,chelated minerals and mineral mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to herbal feed compositions for solving problem ofletting down of milk in milch animals. More specifically, the presentinvention is related to an alternative herbal based composition forimproving milk letting down in cattle. The herbal composition acts oncentral nervous system, giving stress free anxiolytic effect resultingin a smooth ejection. It makes the contraction of the cisternal cavityto facilitate milk ejection which helps the emptying of alveoli. Theherbal composition increases the blood circulation in the udder whichreduces the chances of occurrence of infections such as Mastitis, udder,oedema etc. The herbal composition reduces milk resurge time taken forthe milk ejection after initiation of the tactile stimulus.

The invention is a synergistic formulation of an effective amount of anextract and/or at least one bioactive fraction or powder from herbs suchas Asparagus, Gossypium, Foeniculum, Lepidium, Chlorophytum, Ipomoea,Withania, Leptadenia etc. with or without dicalcium phosphate (DCP),dolomite, calcite, chelated minerals and mineral mixture. The DCP actsas a source of calcium and phosphorous.

The compositions can be used in several forms: powdered feed form,concentrate form, blender form and base mix form.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” means an amount necessary toachieve a desired result in solving problem of letting down of milk inmilch animals.

The herbal feed compositions for solving problem of letting down of milkin milch animals mainly comprises the mixture of effective amount of anextract or bioactive fraction or powder of following medicinal herbs:

1. Asparagus racemosus: Family—Asparagaceae

It is a tall climbing, much-branched, spiny shrub with annual woody,white-grey or brown stems armed with strong, straight or recurved spines0.5-1.3 cm long; rootstock short, tuberous, bearing numerous fusiform,succulent tuberous roots 30-100 cm long and 1-2 cm thick. Flowers white,fragrant, small, crowded in simple and branched racemes 5-15 cm long.Fruits globose, red when ripe, 3-lobed, 0.4-0.6 cm in diameter.

2. Gossypium arboreum: Family: Malvaceae

It is commonly called tree cotton, is a species of cotton native toIndia and Pakistan and other tropical and subtropical regions of the OldWorld. There is evidence of its cultivation as long ago as 2000 BC bythe Harappan civilization of the Indus Valley for the production ofcotton textiles. This species of cotton was introduced into East Africaby about 2000 years ago, and was grown by the Meroe civilization inNubia, the first cotton weavers in Africa. The shrub was included inLinnaeus's Species Plantarum published in 1753. The holotype was alsosupplied by him, which is now in the Linnean Herbarium in the SwedishMuseum of Natural History.

3. Foeniculum vulgare: Family: Apiaceae

It is also known as common fennel and generally grows upto 1.5 mts high(Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, Used in Food, Drugs, andCosmetics, p. 169 (1980)). The dried ripe fruit of this herb is commonlycalled fennel seed. The plant is also known in Arabic as Shamar. Theplant is found in North Africa (Egypt), India and South America.

4. Lepidium sativum: Family—Brassicaceae

It is a fast-growing, edible plant botanically related to watercress andmustard and sharing their peppery, tangy flavor and aroma. In someregions, garden cress is known as garden pepper cress, pepper grass orpepperwort. Garden cress is a green perennial plant used as a leafvegetable consumed by humans typically as a garnish. Undisturbed gardencress can grow to a height of two feet with minimal maintenance. Whenmature, garden cress produces white flowers, and small seedpods. Gardencress is used as a medicine in India in the system of ayurveda toprevent postnatal complications. Cress may be given to pet birds such asbudgerigars for a healthy and fresh treat.

5. Chlorophytum borivilianum: Family—Liliaceae

It is eaten as a leaf vegetable in some parts of India, and its rootsare used medicinally as a sex tonic under the name safed moosli. SafedMusli was originally grown in thick forest in natural form, and is atraditional medicinal plant. Mainly its tuberous roots are used inayurvedic medicines. Roots are used for the preparation of nutritivetonic used in general sexual weakness. Now-a-days, there is a very vastdemand all over the world (Specially gulf countries and cold countries).Due to its vast demand it is very costly. Safed Musli is a herb withsub-erect leaves and tuberous root system. It can grow up to a maximumheight of 1.5 ft. Tubers can grow up to a depth of 10″. Safed Musli is atiny annual herb that grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climateswith altitudes up to 1500 meters. Safed Musli has its origin in theIndia Subcontinent.

6. Ipomoea digitata: Family—Convolvulaceae

The genus occurs throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of theworld, and comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, lianas,shrubs and small trees; most of the species are twining climbing plants.

7. Withania somnifera: Family—Solanaceae

It is an erect, evergreen, grayish tomentose shrub 0.3-2 m tall, withfairly long, stout, fleshy, whitish-brown roots. Leaves simple,alternate or subopposite, broadly ovate, glabrous, 5-12 cm long and2.5-7 cm wide, apex subacute, base unequal, margins entire, finelystellate-pubescent beneath; main nerves about 6 pairs; petioles 0.3-1.7cm long. The roots are considered alternative, germicidal, aphrodisiacand diuretic; they are used in Ayurveda to treat ulcers, fever,dyspnoea, cough, consumption, dropsy, rheumatism, toxicosis and memoryloss. The powdered roots mixed with equal parts of honey and ghee isthought to be beneficial for impotence or seminal debility. The roots aswell as the bruised leaves are also used externally to treat ulcers,painful swellings and scabies. The total alkaloids present in the rootsproduce relaxant and anti spasmodic effects. The fruits and seeds arediuretic. The leaves are considered anthelmintic and bitter, and theirinfusion is given to relieve fever.

8. Leptadenia reticulata: Family—Asclepiadaceae

It is known as jivanti (or svarnajivantz) in Sanskrit literature, thename (jiv=life) indicates that the plant is considered to have theability to bestow health and vigour. It is considered to be a rasayanaand included among the 10 drugs constituting the Jivaniya gana or‘vitalising group. Found in the sub-Himalayan tracts of Punjab and UttarPradesh and throughout the Deccan peninsula up to an altitude of 900 mand found particularly in hedges. It is also distributed throughoutMauritius, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the Himalayas and Burma. A twiningshrub, with numerous branches, the stems of which have a cork-like,deeply cracked bark, glabrous in the younger ones. Leaves coriaceous,ovate, acute, glabrous above, finely pubescent below. Flowersgreenish-yellow, in lateral or subaxillary cymes, often with smallhairs. Fruit follicles may be woody. The external surface of the root isrough, white or buff coloured with longitudinal ridges and furrows, andin transverse section, the wide cork, lignified stone cell layers andmedullary rays can be seen.’ In commerce, the root samples vary from 3to 10 cm in length and 1.5 to 5 cm in diameter.

TABLE 1 Details of the medicinal herbs used in herbal feed compositionsfor solving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals are asbelow: Common Geographical Parts Adverse S. No Latin Binomial NamesDistribution Used Quantity Effects 1 Asparagus Shatawari ThroughoutRoots & 20-70% None racemosus India Leaves Preferably 40% 2 GossypiumKapasbeej Throughout Seeds 2.5-25%  None arboreum India Preferably 10% 3Foeniculum Badishep North Seeds 10-70% None vulgare India Preferably 25%4 Lepidium Haliv Throughout Seeds 10-70% None sativum India Preferably25% 5 Chlorophytum Safed Musli Maharashtra & Roots 10-70% Noneborivilianum Gujarat Preferably 25% 6 Ipomoea digitata VidarikandaThroughout Roots 10-70% None India Preferably 25% 7 Withania AshwagandhaThroughout Roots & 10-70% None somnifera India Leaves Preferably 25% 8Leptadenia Jeevanti Throughout Seeds, 10-70% None reticulata (Dori)India Leaf, Preferably Root & 25% whole plant

Process for Preparation of Herbal Feed Compositions:

Method—I

The present invention herbal feed compositions are prepared by one typeof method comprising the following steps:

-   -   a) Obtaining the part of medicinal herb from a group comprising        leaves, bark, root and aerial parts;    -   b) drying the plant part of step (a);    -   c) powdering the dried plant material of step (b) to a coarse        powder;    -   d) the dried and powdered plant material obtained in step (c)        can be used directly to prepare the feed compositions by mixing        the effective amount by weight of medicinal herb selected from        the group of Asparagus racemosus, Gossypium arboreum        (herbaceum), Foeniculum vulgare, Lepidium sativum, Chlorophytum        borivilianum, Ipomoea digitata, Withania somnifera and        Leptadenia reticulata to obtain the herbal feed composition.    -   e) the above herbal compositions may be added with dicalcium        phosphate or dolomite or calcite or chelated minerals or mineral        nutrients.

Method—II

The present invention herbal feed compositions are prepared by anothertype of method comprising the steps as below:

-   -   a) Obtaining the part of medicinal herb from a group comprising        leaves, bark, root and aerial parts;    -   b) drying the plant part of step (a);    -   c) powdering the dried plant material of step (b) to a coarse        powder;    -   d) extracting the powdered dried plant material at a temperature        in the range of 30 to 85° C.;    -   e) extracting the plant material with water or alcohol or        mixture of both for a period ranges from 6 hours to 6 days;    -   f) concentrating the obtained extract under reduced pressure at        a temperature in the range of 40 to 85° C.;    -   g) the concentrated extract is subjected to removal of solvent;    -   h) mixing the effective amount by weight of above concentrated        extract of medicinal herb selected from the group of Asparagus        racemosus, Gossypium arboreum (herbaceum), Foeniculum vulgare,        Lepidium sativum, Chlorophytum borivilianum, Ipomoea digitata,        Withania somnifera and Leptadenia reticulata to obtain the        herbal feed composition.    -   i) the herbal compositions may be added with dicalcium phosphate        or dolomite or calcite or chelated minerals or mineral        nutrients.

EXAMPLES

The following specific examples presented to illustrate the herbal feedcompositions for solving problem of letting down of milk in milchanimals prepared by above said method I, but do not limit the scope ofthe invention and additional compositions are being prepared and tested.

TABLE 2 Specific combinations prepared are as following: A) MedicinalComposition (% by weight) Herb I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIIXIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII Asparagus 20 30 40 50 60 70 40 50 30 30 30 2550 45 40 35 25 20 racemosus Foeniculum 20 20 20 15 15 10 20 30 40 50 6060 20 20 15 10 10 7.5 vulgare Lepidium 35 20 20 25 15 15 30 10 20 10 0512.5 20 30 40 50 60 70 sativum Gossypium 25 25 20 10 10 05 10 10 10 1005 2.5 10 05 05 05 05 2.5 arboreum B) Medicinal Composition (% byweight) Herb I II III IV V VI VII Asparagus racemosus 50 50 50 100 — — —Foeniculum vulgare, 50 — — — 100 — — Lepidium sativum — 50 — — — 100 —Gossypium arboreum — — 50 — — — 100

TABLE 3 Specific combinations prepared are as following: A) MedicinalComposition (% by weight) Herb I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIIXIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII Asparagus 20 30 40 50 60 70 40 50 30 30 30 2550 45 40 35 25 20 racemosus Chlorophytum 20 20 20 15 15 10 20 30 40 5060 60 20 20 15 10 10 7.5 borivilianum Ipomoea 35 20 20 25 15 15 30 10 2010 05 12.5 20 30 40 50 60 70 digitata Gossypium 25 25 20 10 10 05 10 1010 10 05 2.5 10 05 05 05 05 2.5 arboreum B) Medicinal Composition (% byweight) Herb I II III IV V VI VII Asparagus racemosus 50 50 50 100 — — —Chlorophytum borivilianum 50 — — — 100 — — Ipomoea digitata — 50 — — —100 — Gossypium arboreum — — 50 — — — 100

TABLE 4 Specific combinations prepared are as following: Composition (%by weight) Ingredient I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XVXVI XVII XVIII Asparagus racemosus 20 25 35 45 55 65 35 35 25 25 25 2045 40 35 30 25 20 Foeniculum vulgare 15 25 20 15 15 10 30 25 20 30 50 5010 20 15 10 10 7.5 Lepidium sativum 20 25 10 15 15 15 20 10 25 10 0512.5 10 20 20 30 40 50 Gossypium 7.5 10 7.5 7.5 7.5 2.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.505 2.5 7.5 05 05 2.5 2.5 2.5 arboreum Dicalcium 37.5 15 27.5 17.5 7.57.5 7.5 22.5 22.5 27.5 15 15 27.5 15 25 27.5 22.5 20 phosphate (DCP)

TABLE 5 Specific combinations prepared are as following: Composition (%by weight) Ingredient I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XVXVI XVII XVIII Asparagus racemosus 20 25 35 45 55 65 35 35 25 25 25 2045 40 35 30 25 20 Chlorophytum 15 25 20 15 15 10 30 25 20 30 50 50 10 2015 10 10 7.5 borivilianum Ipomoea digitata 20 25 10 15 15 15 20 10 25 1005 12.5 10 20 20 30 40 50 Gossypium arboreum 7.5 10 7.5 7.5 7.5 2.5 7.57.5 7.5 7.5 05 2.5 7.5 05 05 2.5 2.5 2.5 Dicalcium phosphate 37.5 1527.5 17.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 22.5 22.5 27.5 15 15 27.5 15 25 27.5 22.5 20 (DCP)

The study is conducted on a sample of 25 cattle (buffaloes/cows) whichare having the problems of letting down of milk from many days by one orthe other reason and are routinely treated with injectable oxytocin. Theabove selected cattle are injected with injectable oxytocin for 10 daysand during which the milk yield is recorded from each cattle wheneverthe injection is given. Then after a gap of 5 days the same above cattleare fed by the herbal composition of present invention specificallycomposition no. V of Table-2A at a recommended dose of 15 g/day/cattlefor a period of 10 days and during which also the milk yield recordedfrom each cattle. The feed composition has not only solved problemsletting down of milk in cattle but also shown rise in milk by 250-500ml/day after 3 days from the date of feeding. It also solved theproblems of side effects associated with giving injectable oxytocin.Hence the composition serves for solving the problem of letting down ofmilk in milch animals without harming the cattle in every respect andalso increases the acceptance of the milk by people without doubts intheir mind by producing hygienic milk.

A synergistic effect is achieved when the above said herbs are includedin a composition, preferably at least four herbs over those fed withoutthe herbal composition. Thus, one embodiment of the invention provides amethod of selecting herbs for compositions according to theseprinciples. It is an important aspect of the combination herbalpreparation of the present invention that it contains a mixture ofherbs, or extracts of herbs. An unexpected synergistic effect isexhibited by the various ingredients of the herbal preparation of thepresent invention. The strategic combination of herbs of the presentinvention exhibits beneficial effects when optimally combined asdiscussed above. The advantage of the polyherbal composition alsominimizes the risk of development of drug resistance.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group can be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly,this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein can be further limited in theclaims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language.When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, thetransition term “consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredientnot specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentiallyof limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps andthose that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed areinherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that can be employed are within the scopeof the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention can be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

1. Herbal feed compositions for solving problem of letting down of milkin milch animals comprising mixture of effective amount of an extractand/or bioactive fraction or powder of at least one medicinal herb. 2.Herbal feed compositions for solving problem of letting down of milk inmilch animals as claimed in claim 1 wherein the medicinal herbs areselected from the group of Asparagus, Gossypium, Foeniculum, Lepidium,Chlorophytum, Ipomoea, Withania and Leptadenia.
 3. Herbal feedcompositions for solving problem of letting down of milk in milchanimals as claimed in claim 2 wherein the medicinal herbs areessentially selected from the group of Asparagus racemosus, Gossypiumarboreum (herbaceum), Foeniculum vulgare, Lepidium sativum, Chlorophytumborivilianum, Ipomoea digitata, Withania somnifera and Leptadeniareticulata.
 4. Herbal feed compositions for solving problem of lettingdown of milk in milch animals as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mixturecomprises at least four medicinal herbs preferably Asparagus racemosus,Gossypium arboreum (herbaceum), Foeniculum vulgare or Chlorophytumborivilianum, and Lepidium sativum or Ipomoea digitata.
 5. Herbal feedcompositions for solving problem of letting down of milk in milchanimals as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mixture comprises an effectiveamount of an extract or bioactive fraction or powder ranging from about20 to 70% (w/w) Asparagus racemosus, about 2.5 to 25% (w/w) Gossypiumarboreum, about 10 to 70% (w/w) Foeniculum vulgare or about 10 to 70%(w/w) Chlorophytum borivilianum, and about 10 to 70% (w/w) Lepidiumsativum or about 10 to 70% (w/w) Ipomoea digitata.
 6. Herbal feedcompositions for solving problem of letting down of milk in milchanimals as claimed in claim 5 wherein the effective amount of an extractor bioactive fraction or powder preferably ranges from about 40 to 70%(w/w) Asparagus racemosus, about 5 to 20% (w/w) Gossypium arboreum,about 10 to 25% (w/w) Foeniculum vulgare or about 10 to 25% (w/w)Chlorophytum borivilianum, and about 10 to 25% (w/w) Lepidium sativum orabout 10 to 25% (w/w) Ipomoea digitata.
 7. Herbal feed compositions forsolving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the effective amount of an extract or bioactive fractionor powder is more preferably about 60% (w/w) Asparagus racemosus, about10% (w/w) Gossypium arboreum, about 15% (w/w) Foeniculum vulgare orabout 15% (w/w) Chlorophytum borivilianum, and about 15% (w/w) Lepidiumsativum or about 15% (w/w) Ipomoea digitata.
 8. Herbal feed compositionsfor solving problem of letting down of milk in milch animals as claimedin claim 1 optionally comprising one or more of the ingredients selectedfrom dicalcium phosphate, dolomite, calcite, chelated minerals andmineral mixture.
 9. Herbal feed compositions for solving problem ofletting down of milk in milch animals as claimed in claim 5 optionallycomprising one or more of the ingredients selected from dicalciumphosphate, dolomite, calcite, chelated minerals and mineral mixture. 10.The process for preparation of herbal feed compositions for solvingproblem of letting down of milk in milch animals comprising: a)Obtaining the part of medicinal herb from a group comprising leaves,bark, root and aerial parts; b) drying the plant part of step (a); c)powdering the dried plant material of step (b) to a coarse powder; d)mixing the effective amount by weight of powdered or the concentratedextract of medicinal herb to obtain the herbal feed composition; e)optionally the compositions are added with dicalcium phosphate ordolomite or calcite or chelated minerals or mineral nutrients.